• About
  • Advertising
  • History
  • Staff
  • Contact

The Andersonian

The Anderson University Student Newspaper

Anderson University’s Student Newspaper

  • Campus News
  • Audio
  • Features
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
  • COVID-19
You are here: Home / Arts & Culture / English Department hosts Syford Poetry Contest


English Department hosts Syford Poetry Contest

February 11, 2016 by Noel Marquis

 

Are you looking for a way to express your ideas, perspectives and creative ability? Such an outlet is available through the Syford Poetry Contest, an opportunity for students to submit their original poetry for the chance to earn recognition and win prizes.

“The [English] department likes to give students the opportunity to showcase their writing abilities and earn recognition for their skills,” said Professor Peter Elliot.

Elliot teaches in the English department and is in charge of the Syford Poetry Contest this year. “For professors in the department who judge the contest, it gives us an opportunity to read some very creative and thoughtful work. For students, it gives them a chance to further hone their writing skills and have a valuable professional development experience.”

Every year, the English department rotates between hosting the Syford Poetry Contest and the Genesis Prose Contest, which allows students the chance to shine light on both their poetic and prose writing during their time at AU. Next year, students will once again get the opportunity to enter the Genesis Prose Contest.

The English department is offering cash prizes to the top three poem entries. First place will receive a $75 prize, second place will receive $50, and third place will receive $25. In addition, the winning entries will be featured in the English department’s online literary arts magazine for the spring semester. Students whose work is published are given an excellent opportunity to gain professional writing experience and to build upon their resumes.

A panel of professors from the AU English department will be tasked with judging the submissions. There is no specific theme or prompt to follow. Students are free to put their imagination to work and present their own ideas to the judges.

“What we are most concerned with is creativity and excellent use of imagery and form,” Elliot said. He also mentioned that the judges will be looking for interesting, intriguing subject matter. “We enjoy reading about topics we might not otherwise anticipate,” he said.

Although the majority of entrants for the Syford Poetry Contest are English and writing majors, the English department is accepting entries from students in all majors who simply enjoy writing poetry or want to adopt a new hobby. The English department is encouraging students from all over campus to submit their work so the creative writing talents of a variety of people can be recognized. The English department would like to see a wide range of themes and poetic voices represented in the submissions.

The notion of having your creative writing evaluated can seem intimidating, but Elliot affirmed that the purpose of the contest is to encourage rather than to judge students for the quality of their work and overall writing ability.

“For starters, this isn’t for a grade,” Elliot said, “it’s for enjoyment, winning prize money and having your work published is great, but if you’re a writer, you write. It’s part of who you are and what you do.”

Elliot added that even students who do not win a prize will benefit from the writing practice and experience.

“If you think of Larry Bird—and I’m probably dating myself there—or other free throw shooters in basketball history, hitting 80 or 90 percent of their shots came after years of consistent practice and dedication to pursue their God-given talents,” Elliot said. “Writing is the same way. Even if a student does not win a prize in the contest, the experience can still be a meaningful stepping stone in his or her development as a writer.”

Anyone who wishes to participate in the Syford Poetry Contest can pick up an entry form on the table outside the English department, which is located on the third floor of Decker Hall. Students can submit up to three of their original poems along with the entry form. The deadline for all submissions is March 11, the Friday immediately before Spring Break. Judging will begin soon after and should be completed sometime in April, at which point the winners will be notified.

For those who would like to read winning entries from the 2014 Syford Poetry Contest, as well as other entries in the AU Literary Arts Magazine, visit aulitartsmag.tumblr.com. There is a heading for the winning entries of the Syford Poetry Contest, and a heading for winning entries in the Genesis Prose contest.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Arts & Culture

Watch

Jacey Crawford discusses the breaking news that classes will be virtual for the remainder of the semester, beginning Nov. 16.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Jacey Crawford discusses the recent esports win and talks with Dr. Sarah Neal, Lead of AU’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Video

Listen

Raven Watch 2020-12-07

On this episode of the Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan is joined by former Big Ten Player of the Year and Indiana Pacer Clark Kellogg as they discuss displaying your faith in sports, Clark’s career as a player and broadcaster and his game of “H.O.R.S.E.” with President Obama.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-12-03

On this episode, Jordan Yaney sits down with senior soccer player Drew Sonnefeldt to discuss his soccer career, trips to Europe, hobbies, and dreams of playing professional soccer

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-09-24

In the third Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan Yaney talks with Hannah Hawkins, a senior basketball player, about starting her freshman year 0-25, becoming more of a leader on the team and facing their one-on-one battle on the court freshman year. Thanks to our sponsor, the Folgate Agency. Please contact Steve Folgate for Allstate insurance and […]

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Raven Watch 2020-09-18

In the second-ever Raven Watch Podcast, Jordan Yaney talks with Kennedy Parker, a senior baseball player, about finding out last season was canceled while the team was in Florida, why he decided to come back for a fifth year and play and what he expects out of this year’s team.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

More Audio

Follow

andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
16 Jan

Check out these pictures from the Men's Basketball game on Thursday: https://andersonian.smugmug.com/AUMBB-01142021/

Reply on Twitter 1350570022108860423Retweet on Twitter 13505700221088604232Like on Twitter 13505700221088604236Twitter 1350570022108860423
andersonianAndersonian@andersonian·
8 Dec

After several weeks of searching for a new esports head coach, AU has filled the position. Learn more about Head Coach Matthew Burnstedt: https://andersonian.com/2020/12/08/au-hires-new-esports-head-coach/

Reply on Twitter 1336445599244292096Retweet on Twitter 13364455992442920961Like on Twitter 13364455992442920963Twitter 1336445599244292096
Retweet on TwitterAndersonian Retweeted
AURavenWatchRaven Watch@AURavenWatch·
7 Dec

Check out the new Raven Watch Podcast with former @Pacers forward Clark Kellogg (@ClarkKelloggCBS). Tune in as Clark and @jordanyaney discuss faith in sports, his career as a player and broadcaster, and his game of H.O.R.S.E against President Obama.

LINK https://andersonian.com/2020/12/07/raven-watch-2020-12-07/

Reply on Twitter 1336095317591265291Retweet on Twitter 13360953175912652918Like on Twitter 133609531759126529114Twitter 1336095317591265291
Load More...

The Andersonian, the student newspaper of Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., publishes a print edition and maintains this website. As a matter of institutional policy, the University administration does not review or edit Andersonian content prior to publication. The student editors are responsible for both print and online content. While the administration recognizes the role of the student press on a college campus and in journalism education, the views expressed in the Andersonian are not necessarily those of Anderson University.

© Andersonian 2017, All rights reserved · Site by Mere
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.